U.S. patent application number 15/107047 was filed with the patent office on 2017-02-16 for methods and plastics films for handling items.
The applicant listed for this patent is BRITISH POLYTHENE LIMITED. Invention is credited to Stephen Paul Bates.
Application Number | 20170043924 15/107047 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50287418 |
Filed Date | 2017-02-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170043924 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bates; Stephen Paul |
February 16, 2017 |
METHODS AND PLASTICS FILMS FOR HANDLING ITEMS
Abstract
Items (30) are unitised into a package (31) by applying an
apertured member (1) to an array of items (30) using a roller. The
apertured member (1) has a series of apertures (2) each
accommodating an item (30) within edge portions (10), with inter
web portions (6) between the apertures (2). A release member (3) is
attached at one edge (4) of the apertured member (1) for
interacting with the inter web portions (6) to sequentially release
items (30) from the package (31) without disturbing the array of
items (30). The package can be used as a carrier for depositing
items (30) directly to stock shelving or vending machines quickly
by a single linear pull action upon the release member (3) first
releasing the array of items to the shelving or vending machine and
finally removing the apertured plastics carrier.
Inventors: |
Bates; Stephen Paul;
(Reading, GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
BRITISH POLYTHENE LIMITED |
London |
|
GB |
|
|
Family ID: |
50287418 |
Appl. No.: |
15/107047 |
Filed: |
January 22, 2015 |
PCT Filed: |
January 22, 2015 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB2015/050139 |
371 Date: |
June 21, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 71/504 20130101;
B65B 15/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 71/50 20060101
B65D071/50; B65B 15/00 20060101 B65B015/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 23, 2014 |
GB |
1401100.1 |
Claims
1. A plastics film unitising member comprising a plastics film
having a series of apertures for respectively interacting with an
item in a unitising operation, each aperture being defined within
flexible plastics film edge portions, and spaced apart by inter web
portions, wherein each aperture is of dimensions to pass over an
upper part of the item and bring the flexible plastics film edge
portions into contact with an outer surface of the item, wherein a
release member is provided, said release member being attached at
one edge of the plastics film unitising member and extending across
at least a portion of a surface of the plastics film unitising
member.
2. A plastics film unitising member comprising a series of
apertures for respectively interacting with an item in a unitising
operation, each aperture being defined within flexible plastics
film edge portions, and spaced apart by inter web portions, wherein
each aperture is of dimensions to pass over an upper part of the
item and bring the flexible plastics film edge portions into
contact with an outer surface of the item, wherein the plastics
film unitising member has a separable side web portion adjacent to
the apertures, and wherein the plastics film unitising member is
provided with a release member extending across at least a portion
of one surface of the plastics film unitising member and being
attached at one edge of the plastics film unitising member.
3. A plastics film unitising member according to claim 1, wherein
the release member is positionable between the plastics film
unitising member and items to be unitised.
4. A plastics film unitising member according to claim 1, wherein
the release member is formed from an elongate plastics film
strip.
5. A plastics film unitising member according to claim 1, wherein
the release member is bonded to inter web portions of the plastics
film unitising member.
6. A plastics film unitising member according to claim 1, wherein
the release member has a length allowing it to protrude beyond an
edge of the plastics film unitising member opposite said one edge
of the plastics film unitising member where the release member is
attached, the protruding length part providing a user draw tab.
7. (canceled)
8. (canceled)
9. A plastics film item unitising member according to claim 1
wherein the plastics film item unitising member is made from
recycled plastics.
10. A plastics film item unitising member according to claim 1,
wherein the flexible plastics film edge portions are configured to
provide item unitising retention surfaces when the plastics film
item unitising member is reformed around an item during a unitising
operation using a roller device to apply the plastics film item
unitising member to the item.
11. A method of unitising items comprising, presenting a plurality
of items in alignment for unitisation, providing a plastics film
unitising member, the plastics film unitising member having a
series of apertures for respectively interacting with an item in a
unitising operation, each aperture being defined within flexible
plastics film edge portions, and spaced apart by inter web
portions, wherein each aperture is of dimensions to pass over an
upper part of an item and bring the flexible plastics film edge
portions into contact with an outer surface of the item, presenting
the plastics film unitising member to an upper part of a first item
and rolling the plastics film member over the top of the first item
whereby at least an upper part of the first item is within an
aperture and an outer surface of the item is contacted by plastics
film edge portions, continuing the rolling action to apply
successively each aperture to respective items to thereby unitise
the items, wherein the plastics film unitising member is provided
with a release member extending across at least a portion of one
surface of the plastics film member and being attached at one edge
of the plastics film unitising member.
12. A method according to claim 11, wherein a release member is
provided with the plastics film unitising member, said release
member being attached at one edge of the plastics film unitising
member and extending across at least a portion of a surface of the
plastics film unitising member.
13. A method according to claim 11, wherein the plastics film
unitising member has a separable side web portion adjacent to the
apertures, and wherein the plastics film unitising member is
provided with a release member extending across at least a portion
of one surface of the plastics film unitising member and being
attached at one edge of the plastics film unitising member.
14. (canceled)
15. (canceled)
16. A method according to claim 11, wherein the release member is
positionable between the plastics film unitising member and items
to be unitised.
17. A method according to claim 11, wherein the release member is
formed from an elongate plastics film strip.
18. A method according to claim 11, wherein the release member is
freely separable from the plastics film unitising member apart from
being attached at one edge of the plastics film unitising
member.
19. A method according to claim 11, wherein the release member is
bonded to inter web portions of the plastics film unitising
member.
20. A method according to claim 11, wherein the release member
extends across an upper or lower surface of the plastics film
unitising member, and the longest dimension of the release member
extends to less than the full length of the plastics film unitising
member.
21. A method according to claim 11, wherein the release member has
a length allowing it to protrude beyond an edge of the plastics
film unitising member opposite said one edge of the plastics film
unitising member where the release member is attached, the
protruding length part providing a user draw tab.
22. A method according to claim 11, further comprising the
additional steps of depositing the unitised items upon a surface of
the display unit and withdrawing the release member linearly to
remove the plastics film unitising member from each of the items,
leaving the items deposited on the surface of the display unit.
23. A plastics film unitising member according to claim 2, wherein
the release member is formed from an elongate plastics film
strip.
24. A plastics film unitising member according to claim 2, wherein
the release member is bonded to inter web portions of the plastics
film unitising member.
25. A plastics film unitising member according to claim 2, wherein
the release member has a length allowing it to protrude beyond an
edge of the plastics film unitising member opposite said one edge
of the plastics film unitising member where the release member is
attached, the protruding length part providing a user draw tab.
26. A plastics film item unitising member according to claim 2
wherein the plastics film item unitising member is made from
recycled plastics.
27. A plastics film item unitising member according to claim 2,
wherein the flexible plastics film edge portions are configured to
provide item unitising retention surfaces when the plastics film
item unitising member is reformed around an item during a unitising
operation using a roller device to apply the plastics film item
unitising member to the item.
Description
[0001] This disclosure relates to handling items such as cans,
jars, bottles and cartons in unitised packages, each unitised
package holding a pre-determined number of items in a secure but
releasable manner.
BACKGROUND TO THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] Food and beverages are presented to the consumer in a
variety of primary packaging forms, typically made from metals such
as steel and aluminium, and/or glass or plastics, and may include
cellulose-based elements, for example cardboard and cardboard
laminate Such primary packaging protects and preserves the contents
for a predicted shelf life or storage period, and presents a sales
unit of a standard or industry-preferred amount of product,
displaying branding and product information to the consumer. The
primary packaging may include sale units commonly identified as
cans, tins, jars, bottles, tubes, cartons, etc.
[0003] Multiple individual sales units may be collected together
for distribution in secondary packaging such as trays, shrink
wrapping, boxes or cartons, and webbing. An aspect of secondary
packaging is so-called unitisation into multi-packs which are
readily handled by the consumer or retailer.
[0004] GB 2 475 622 B and GB 2 485 895 B relate to aspects of item
packaging and disclose plastics film carriers and unitising
machinery. The disclosures thereof are incorporated herein by
reference.
[0005] When retailers wish to present products on display in a
retail outlet, shelving units distributed across the retail outlet
have to be stocked. This entails removing secondary packaging and
arranging the primary package products in a manner intended to
promote consumer interest in purchasing the products. This shelf
stocking task is generally labour intensive, and often requires
staff to use box cutters or scissors to remove secondary packaging.
The removal of shrink wrap, boxes, cartons, fibreboard dividers,
etc. is time consuming and presents waste product which has to be
collapsed or compacted for recycling. The removed product units
then have to be individually arranged upon the shelf in a manner
intended to display branding and information optimally for consumer
interest in order to promote sale of the products. Similar
considerations apply to filling of automated vending machines.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0006] A method of unitising items such as primary packaged
products is disclosed which facilitates stocking of shelves and
reduces time associated with arranging the items for display on a
shelving unit or slot ramp of a vending machine. A plastics film
unitising member is disclosed for use in unitising primary packaged
products. A method of manufacturing a plastics film unitising
member modified for the purpose of facilitating stocking of
displays with products is also disclosed. In particular, the
disclosure relates to a plastics film unitising member for
unitising a plurality of items to provide a package, the plastics
film unitising member comprising a release member extending
lengthwise with respect to the plastics film unitising member, said
release member having a free end for a user to hold, and a fixed
end remote from the free end for the user, the fixed end being
attached at an edge of the plastics film unitising member. The
release member permits a user in a single action to release the
plastics film unitising member from the items by simply withdrawing
the release member lengthwise towards the user. A substantially
linear movement of the release member with respect to the plastics
film unitising member removes the modified plastics film unitising
member from the items. The items may be primary packaging
containers.
[0007] According to a first aspect, a plastics film unitising
member has a series of apertures for respectively interacting with
an item such as a container in a unitising operation, each aperture
being defined within flexible plastics film edge portions, and
spaced apart by inter web portions, wherein each aperture is
dimensioned to pass over an upper part of the item and bring the
flexible plastics film edge portions into contact with an outer
surface of the item, wherein the plastics film unitising member is
provided with a release member extending across at least a portion
of one surface of the plastics film unitising member and being
attached at one edge of the plastics film unitising member.
[0008] According to a second aspect, a plastics film unitising
member has a series of apertures for respectively interacting with
an item such as a container in a unitising operation, each aperture
being defined within flexible plastics film edge portions, and
spaced apart by inter web portions, wherein each aperture is
dimensions to pass over an upper part of the item and bring the
flexible plastics film edge portions into contact with an outer
surface of the item, wherein the plastics film unitising member has
a separable side web portion adjacent to the apertures, and wherein
the plastics film unitising member is provided with a release
member extending across at least a portion of one surface of the
plastics film unitising member and being attached at one edge of
the plastics film unitising member. The plastics film unitising
member may include perforated parts, partially slit parts, or thin
or otherwise weakened parts, to permit the separable side web
portion to be parted from an apertured part of the plastics film
unitising member. The separable side web portion may remain joined
with the apertured part of the plastics film unitising member by
means of at least one end connecting portion.
[0009] Various novel and inventive aspects of the disclosed
modified plastics film unitising member and uses thereof are
defined in the appended claims.
[0010] According to a third aspect, a method of unitising items
comprises, presenting a plurality of items in alignment for
unitisation, providing a plastics film unitising member, the
plastics film unitising member having a series of apertures for
respectively interacting with an item in a unitising operation,
each aperture being defined within flexible plastics film edge
portions, and spaced apart by inter web portions, wherein each
aperture is dimensioned to pass over an upper part of an item and
bring the flexible plastics film edge portions into contact with an
outer surface of the item, presenting the plastics film unitising
member to an upper part of a first item and rolling the plastics
film unitising member over the top of the first item whereby at
least an upper part of the first item is within an aperture and an
outer surface of the item is contacted by the flexible plastics
film edge portions in a position-retaining manner, continuing the
rolling action to apply successively each aperture to respective
items to thereby unitise the items, wherein the plastics film
unitising member is provided with a release member extending across
at least a portion of one surface of the plastics film unitising
member and being attached at one edge of the plastics film
unitising member.
[0011] In an embodiment the plastics film unitising member has a
length and a breadth. The length and breadth are chosen to overlie
a plurality of items to be unitised. The series of apertures (or
each series of apertures) may be aligned with the length of the
plastics film unitising member.
[0012] When the plurality of items is unitised by the plastics film
unitising member a unitised package is provided which is convenient
for handling, stock control, transport and storage.
[0013] In embodiments the release member comprises at least one
plastics strip extending in the direction of the length of the
plastics film unitising member. Alternative forms of the release
member are possible, such as a cord, ribbon or line, and the
particular form of the release member is not critical to achieve
the desired functionality to be more particularly described
hereinafter.
[0014] In embodiments, the release member extends across an upper
or lower surface of the plastics film unitising member, and the
longest dimension of the release member may extend to less than the
full length of the plastics film unitising member. The release
member may extend from one edge of the plastics film unitising
member in the direction of the series of apertures and has an end
portion which at least partially overlies a final aperture in the
series of apertures. The said end portion may provide a user
accessible draw tab or loop.
[0015] In embodiments, the release member extends across an upper
or lower surface of the plastics film unitising member, and the
longest dimension of the release member may extend to at least the
full length of the plastics film unitising member. The release
member may extend beyond the length of the plastics film unitising
member to provide a draw tab to facilitate release of the plastics
film unitising member from items by a user. The draw tab may be
held by a user and simply pulled towards the user to withdraw the
release member, and thereafter remove the plastics film unitising
member.
[0016] In use of any of such embodiments a user may grasp the draw
tab and withdraw the release member substantially parallel with
respect to the plastics film unitising member.
[0017] In embodiments, the release member extends over unitised
items which are releasably held in the series of apertures of the
plastics film unitising member. In embodiments where more than one
series of apertures is provided side by side, then multiple release
members may be provided. The multiple release members may be
individually pulled or may be connected to a single draw tab to be
pulled by a user in a single draw action.
[0018] In embodiments the plastics film unitising member comprises
inter web portions between apertures in the series of apertures,
and the release member is located to contact the inter-web portions
and interact therewith when the release member is pulled by a user.
In this way a single pull upon the release member effects an
interaction with a first inter web portion and successively
thereafter, an interaction with each further inter web portion
contacted by the release member.
[0019] In embodiments, the plastics film unitising member may be
oriented prior to application to items such that the release member
is under the plastics film unitising member.
[0020] In embodiments the release member may be attached to the
inter web portions. The attachment may be by adhesive bonding. The
bonding may be temporary or permanent.
[0021] With respect to the series of apertures, the inter-web
portion may be depressed during application of the plastics film
unitising member to items to be unitised. At least a corresponding
portion of the release member may be depressed under the
corresponding inter-web portion at the same time.
[0022] In such embodiments, particularly using the plastics film
unitising member of the first aspect, the plastics film unitising
member is removable from an item-holding configuration in a series
of steps in which the inter web portions are successively moved,
easing the contact between the items and transverse flexible
plastics film edge portions of the inter web portions. Longitudinal
plastics film edge portions remain in contact with the items to
maintain orientation and alignment. The movement of the inter web
portions is achievable by a user pulling on the draw tab whereby
the release member lifts the inter web portions in turn. Thus
lifting of the first inter web portion by the release member
effects partial release of an item nearest to the user initially
leaving flexible plastics film edge portions on either side of the
item in contact with the item. A continuance of the pull on the
draw tab causes the release member to lift the next inter web
portion too, and partially release the next item held in the series
of apertures. This partial release process is continued until the
last item held in the series of apertures is also partially
released. The plastics film unitising member can be finally pulled
from the partially released items by virtue of the attachment of
the release member to one edge of the plastics film unitising
member.
[0023] In embodiments using the plastics film unitising member of
the second aspect, the release member which overlies the plastics
film may be withdrawn by a user pulling on the draw tab. However,
the attached end remote from the user acts initially to separate a
weakened portion nearest to the attached end and remote from the
user. Successively thereafter the other weakened portions are also
separated in turn and the separable side web portion may be parted
from the unitised items. The whole plastics film unitising member
is thereafter removable by continued withdrawing of the release
member towards the user, leaving the previously unitised items free
standing on retail unit shelf or slot ramp of a vending
machine.
[0024] These embodiments are advantageous in that the interaction
with successive inter web portions permits a controllable release
of items from the series of apertures without adversely
de-stabilising the arrangement of the items.
[0025] In use of such embodiments, the unitised item package the
release member may have a draw tab proximal to a user. Attachment
of the release member to a distal edge of the plastics film
unitising member provides for the final removal of the plastics
film unitising member from the items completely by continuance of
the single pull action by the user.
[0026] Thus the user may reliably remove the plastics film
unitising member in a single pull or linear withdrawing action upon
the release member which passes over the unitised items. As the
final item is released, the attachment of the release member to the
edge of the plastics film unitising member allows the plastics film
unitising member to be removed from the items completely. Since the
items are not disturbed in any material way by this single pull
action the released items are presented for retail in the same
orientation as arranged prior to unitising. This obviates the usual
problem of arranging product items after removal of secondary
packaging. In this way a more rapid method of stocking a shelf of a
retail outlet or vending machine is achievable.
[0027] In embodiments the plastics film member may comprise a
single lane of apertures for receiving items.
[0028] In embodiments, the plastics film member may comprise
parallel lanes of apertures for receiving items.
[0029] In embodiments, the release member is positionable between
the plastics film unitising member and items to be unitised.
[0030] In embodiments, the release member is formed from an
elongate plastics film strip.
[0031] In embodiments, the release member is freely separable from
the plastics film unitising member apart from being attached at one
edge of the plastics film unitising member. In embodiments the
attachment of the release member to one edge of the plastics film
unitising member is remote from a free end of the release member
accessible to a user.
[0032] In embodiments, the release member has a length allowing it
to protrude beyond an edge of the plastics film unitising member
opposite said one edge of the plastics film unitising member where
the release member is attached, the protruding length part
providing a user draw tab.
[0033] In embodiments the release member is attached to a surface
near an edge of the plastics film unitising member by welding, for
example by use of a hot air welding device.
[0034] In embodiments the release member is attached to a surface
near an edge of the plastics film unitising member by adhesion, for
example by use of a contact adhesive to bond the release member to
the plastics film unitising member.
[0035] In embodiments the plastics film unitising member and the
release member are formed from thermoplastics.
[0036] In embodiments the release member may be attached to the
inter web portions. The attachment may be by adhesive bonding. The
bonding may be temporary or permanent.
[0037] According to a fourth aspect, a method of presenting items
on a display unit comprises a method according to the aforesaid
third aspect, and comprises the additional steps of depositing the
unitised items upon a surface of the display unit and pulling upon
the release member to remove successively the plastics film
unitising member from each of the items, leaving the items
deposited on the surface of the display unit.
[0038] According to a fifth aspect, a unitised package of items
comprises an array of items held by a plastics film unitising
member having a series of apertures, each aperture being defined
within flexible plastics film edge portions, and spaced apart by
inter web portions, wherein the flexible plastics film edge
portions contact an outer surface of an item to hold the item,
wherein a release member is attached at one edge of the plastics
film unitising member and extends across at least a portion of a
surface of the plastics film unitising member, with portions of the
release member overlying each item, and optionally (i) where the
plastics film unitising member is one according to the first aspect
passing under the inter web portions between the apertures or (ii)
where the plastics film unitising member is one according to the
second aspect passing over the inter web portions between the
apertures.
[0039] In embodiments, a plastics film unitising member may have a
release member which is formed from an elongate plastics film
strip.
[0040] In embodiments, a plastics film unitising member may have a
release member which is freely separable from the plastics film
unitising member apart from being attached at one edge of the
plastics film unitising member.
[0041] In embodiments, a plastics film unitising member may have a
release member which has a length allowing it to protrude beyond an
edge of the plastics film unitising member opposite said one edge
of the plastics film unitising member where the release member is
attached, the protruding length part providing a user draw tab.
[0042] In embodiments the release member may be attached to the
inter web portions. The attachment may be by adhesive bonding. The
bonding may be temporary or permanent.
[0043] In embodiments, a plastics film unitising member may
comprise a single lane of apertures for receiving items.
[0044] In embodiments, a plastics film unitising member may
comprise parallel lanes of apertures for receiving items.
[0045] In embodiments the plastics film unitising member may be
made from recycled plastics. Suitable plastics include
thermoplastics and flexible film forming plastics such as
polyolefin plastics, including polyethylene or derivatives thereof,
and recycled or post-consumer waste plastics (PCWs).
[0046] In embodiments, the plastics film item unitising member may
have flexible plastics film edge portions around the apertures
which are configured to provide item unitising retention surfaces
when the plastics film item unitising member is reconfigured around
an item during a unitising operation. The application of the
plastics film unitising member to a plurality of suitably arranged
items may be realised by using a roller device. After rolling
application it is observed that the plastics film unitising member
is re-configured about the items to have a three-dimensional
structure with depressed inter web portions between the unitised
items.
[0047] In a method of unitising items, a method of making the
plastics film unitising member with release member may be
incorporated into the unitising packaging line.
[0048] A method of making the plastics film unitising member may
comprise presenting a plastics film unitising member in a reeled
strip to a unitising packaging line where a plurality of items are
arranged for unitising, and introducing a release member to the
plastics film unitising member prior to a unitising step, and
attaching the release member to the plastics film unitising
member.
[0049] The plastics film unitising member may be presented on a
roller application drum to the plurality of items arranged for
unitising and the release member may be attached to the plastics
film unitising member by welding or gluing.
[0050] The release member may be fed vertically from an overhead
supply strip to the plastics film unitising member upon the roller
application drum for the purpose of attachment to the plastics film
unitising member.
[0051] The method of making the plastics unitising member may
comprise a cutting step to separate the release member from the
overhead supply strip and provide the size required for the release
member.
[0052] The plastics film unitising member may be made from a
carrier plastics film made from polyolefinic plastics such as
polyethylene and polyethylene derivatives such as copolymers and
addition polymers or polymer blends, but other plastics materials
with similar mechanical properties may be used including recycled
plastics. The carrier plastics film can be advantageously made from
much thinner plastics films, for example of up to about 350 .mu.m
thickness plastics film. The carrier plastics film may be prepared
for use in the unitising process by pre-forming unitising
apertures, by providing markings or cutting guides for later stages
of the unitising process etc. The carrier plastics film aperture
required for the plastics film unitising member can be dimensioned
to fit about any item to be unitised such as the reduced chime or
neck of a can or bottle. The shape of the aperture can be designed
to suit the shape and width of the intended items to be unitised at
the predetermined point of contact between the plastics film
unitising member with the respective items. Thus the carrier
plastics film may be prepared with apertures shaped and dimensioned
to form an item engaging portion for each item to be unitised or
multi-packaged. The carrier plastics film may be provided as length
of single rank or multi-rank (parallel lanes) of apertured film,
optionally as a reel for positioning in an operational position at
the unitising apparatus.
[0053] In use multiple items may be unitised into a package by
applying an apertured member to an array of items using a roller.
The apertured member may have a series of apertures each
accommodating an item within edge portions with inter web portions
between the apertures. A release member is attached at one edge of
the apertured member for interacting with the inter web portions to
sequentially release items from the package without disturbing the
array of items. The package can be used as a carrier for depositing
items directly to stock shelving or vending machines quickly by a
single linear pull action upon the release member first releasing
the array of items to the shelving or vending machine and finally
removing the apertured plastics carrier.
[0054] Optional or preferred features of an embodiment of an aspect
of the invention are also contemplated for use with any or all
other embodiments and aspects of the invention and may be useful
alternatives to a specifically described embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0055] FIG. 1 illustrates a plastics film unitising member for
items, viewed from one side;
[0056] FIG. 2 shows a view from above the plastics film unitising
member of FIG. 1, in which an attached release member extends
beyond the length of the plastics unitising member;
[0057] FIG. 3 illustrates a plastics film unitising member
reconfigured around items to unitise same as a package for
handling, and viewed from above the unitised item package;
[0058] FIG. 3a shows in enlarged view the sectional side view A-A
of the portion circled in FIG. 3;
[0059] FIG. 4 shows a side view of the unitised items shown in
FIGS. 3 and 3a;
[0060] FIGS. 5 to 10 illustrate sequentially removal of the
plastics film unitising member by pulling of a release member;
[0061] FIG. 11 shows a view from above a plastics film unitising
member with a separable side web portion;
[0062] FIG. 12 shows a package of items unitised by a plastics film
unitising member as shown in FIG. 11;
[0063] FIG. 13 shows a limited access display unit in which item
packaged products are displayed, with two packages of unitized
items which have been deposited on a display surface, one of which
shows an initial step in removal of the plastics film unitising
member by pulling of the release member linearly in the axial
direction shown by the arrow;
[0064] FIG. 14 shows a view from above a plastics film unitising
member with two parallel series of apertures and a dual release
member; and
[0065] FIG. 15 illustrates schematically a unitising operation
wherein a plurality of items are unitised by rolling application of
a plastics film unitising member, and a release member is attached
to the plastics film unitising member just prior to the unitising
operation.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0066] Referring to FIG. 1, a plastics film unitising member 1 has
a release member 3 attached at one edge 4 of the plastics film
unitising member 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the attachment may be by
means of a weld or adhesive 5.
[0067] The plastics film unitising member 1 has a series of
apertures 2 each dimensioned to accommodate an item, such as a
container for the purpose of a unitising operation. The plastics
film unitising member 1 has inter web portions 6 between the
apertures 2. Each aperture 2 is bounded by edge portions 10 of the
plastics film unitising member 1.
[0068] The plastics film unitising member 1 has a width and a
length. The release member 3 has a width narrower than that of the
plastics film unitising member 1. The release member 3 has a length
which exceeds the length of the plastics film unitising member 1.
The excess length of the release member 3 presents a draw tab 7 for
a user to grasp. The plastics film unitising member 1 overlies the
release member 3 which is centrally positioned and aligned with the
length of the plastics film unitising member 1. The inter web
portions 6 of the plastics film unitising member 1 may overlie and
contact the release member 3. The inter web portions 6 may be
temporarily or permanently bonded to the release member 3.
[0069] A plurality of items 30 such as containers of a product, for
example tins can be oriented and arranged in a line, and unitised
using the plastics film unitising member 1.
[0070] The plastics film unitising member 1 may be made from a
carrier plastics film made from polyolefinic plastics such as
polyethylene and polyethylene derivatives such as copolymers and
addition polymers or polymer blends, but other plastics materials
with similar mechanical properties may be used including recycled
plastics. The carrier plastics film can be for example of up to
about 350 .mu.m thickness. The carrier plastics film may have
pre-formed unitising apertures 2 dimensioned to fit about any item
30 to be unitised. The shape of the aperture 2 can be designed to
suit the shape and width of the intended items 30 to be unitised at
the predetermined point of contact between the plastics film
unitising member 1 with the respective items 30.
[0071] Using a procedure similar to that disclosed in WO 2012
069834, a plastics film unitising member 1 may be introduced to an
edge of a first item 30 and rolled over the top of the item such
that a portion of the item 30 penetrates the aperture 2. An
applicator drum may be used for this purpose. The applicator drum
may have projections to form pushers to facilitate application of
the plastics film unitising member to oriented and arranged items
to form a unitised package of items. During rolling application to
each item 30, edge portions 10 around the aperture 2 contact the
item 30 such that it is held in the oriented and arranged
position.
[0072] By continuing to roll the plastics film unitising member 1
over successive items 30 in the oriented and arranged line of items
30, a unitised package 31 of items 30 is formed.
[0073] As illustrated in FIGS. 3a and 4, the inter web portions 6
of the plastics film unitising member 1 and the release member 3
both may be depressed below an upper part of the items.
[0074] The unitised package of items 30 can be handled for
transport, and presented to a point of sale such as a shelf of a
retail display unit. It can be easily inserted into limited access
display units or a slot ramp of a vending machine. The plastics
film unitising member can be easily removed to leave the items 30
standing freely on a shelf or within a slot ramp of a vending
machine by the method illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 10. A user would
grasp the release member 3 by the draw tab 7, and withdraw it
towards the user in a simple linear motion. In the initial pulling
stages of the release procedure the inter web portions are lifted,
moving transverse flexible plastics film edge portions 10 with
respect to the item whilst leaving longitudinal side plastics film
edge portions 10 in contact with and retaining the item in
position. Thus partial release of an item nearest to the user is
effected leaving flexible plastics film edge portions 10 on either
side of the item in contact with the item. A continuance of the
pull on the draw tab causes the release member to lift the next
inter web portion, and likewise partially release the next item
held in the series of apertures. This partial release process is
continued until the last item held in the series of apertures is
also partially released. Continued pulling upon the draw tab 7
permits the user to finally withdraw the plastics film unitising
member by virtue of the attachment of the release member 3 to the
edge 4 of the plastics film unitising member. In this way, the
problem of minimising labour associated with removal of secondary
packaging is solved, and the problem of labour associated with
arranging stock in a display unit or vending machine is also
alleviated.
[0075] An alternative embodiment of a plastics film unitising
member (numbered 11) is shown in FIG. 11. Features of this
embodiment which are equivalent to the plastics film member of
FIGS. 1 and 2, share the same reference number incremented by 10.
In this embodiment there is provided a separable side web portion
19, with weakened portions 18 to facilitate separation whenever the
release member 13 is pulled. These weakened portions 18 may be
perforated for example, or otherwise made susceptible to
tearing.
[0076] The plastics film unitising member 11 has a series of
apertures 12 of dimensions to accommodate an item, such as a
container for the purpose of a unitising operation. The plastics
film unitising member 11 has inter web portions 16. Each aperture
12 is bounded by edge portions 20 of the plastics film unitising
member 11.
[0077] The plastics film unitising member 11 has a width and a
length. The release member 13 has a width narrower than that of the
plastics film unitising member. The release member 13 has a length
which exceeds the length of the plastics film unitising member 11.
The excess length of the release member 13 presents a draw tab 17
for a user to grasp. In this embodiment the plastics film unitising
member 11 underlies the release member 13 which is centrally
positioned and aligned with the length of the plastics film
unitising member 11. The inter web portions 16 of the plastics film
unitising member 11 may underlie and contact the release member 13.
The end 14 of the release member 13 which is remote from the draw
tab 17 is attached to the plastics film unitising member 11 by use
of a weld or adhesive 15.
[0078] In use of this embodiment, items such as cans, jars etc. can
be unitised in the same manner as for the previously described
embodiment by rolling application. FIG. 12 shows unitised cans
using this embodiment of the plastics film unitising member. The
unitised package can be handled, transported and deposited in a
retail unit shelf or slot ramp of a vending machine. In order to
release the items, the user withdraws the draw tab 17 linearly
towards the user.
[0079] In this embodiment the release member 13, by virtue of the
attached end 14 acts initially to separate the weakened portion 18
nearest to the attached end 14. Successively thereafter the other
weakened portions 18 are also separated and the separable side web
portion 19 falls away from the unitised items in turn. The whole
plastics film unitising member is removable by continued
withdrawing of the release member towards the user, leaving the
previously unitised items free standing on retail unit shelf or
slot ramp of a vending machine.
[0080] A still further embodiment is shown is FIG. 14, where like
parts to those of the first embodiment are numbered equivalently
but incremented by 100. This embodiment has a dual release member
103, underlying the parallel series of apertures 102 of the
plastics film unitising member 101. This is used in a similar way
to the first and second embodiments but reduces the number of pull
steps and releases two lanes of items from a unitised package at
the same time.
[0081] Referring to FIG. 15, a unitising packaging line is
schematically represented. Multiple identical and oriented items
such as cans of product are arranged for unitising by an overhead
unitising roller drum. The items are progressed relative to the
unitising roller drum by a conveyor. A plastics film unitising
carrier web is fed to the unitising roller drum. At the same time a
strip of film is also introduced from an overhead supply to the
plastics film unitising carrier web. A welding or gluing unit is
juxtaposed with the unitising roller drum to fasten a portion of
the strip of film to a section of the plastics film unitising
carrier web to thereby form a plastics film unitising member with a
release member fastened at one end thereof.
[0082] The unitising operation is generally similar to that
disclosed in WO 2012 069834, and simply requires the presentation
of the plastics film unitising member to the items such that a
first aperture of the plastics film unitising member is positioned
to pass over a first item, and during continued rolling of the
plastics film unitising member over the item, edge portions around
the aperture contact and hold the item. This process continues
during the rolling process as the items are progressed relative to
the unitising roller drum and in this way multiple items are formed
into a unitised package. Multiple parallel lanes of items can be
handled to unitise the items.
* * * * *